1977 f250 4x4 highboy Questions
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1977 f250 4x4 highboy Questions
My son and I just bought this truck. It has a 460 in it with 4 speed. We pulled the 460 out and bought a 300 inline six with bellhousing and 4 speed transmission attached. Plan is to install the 300 but i am wanting to get all parts rounded up before we start project. Does anyone know if motor mounts are going to work? Also need to mount power steering pump on 300 and it currently doesnt have any brackets on motor. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,600
Likes: 1,174
From: San Jose, CA
Welcome to the forum Jake. Hope you and your son have a great time working on the truck.
I'd agree about the swap (almost) but I know there are legions of 300 fans out there and they were available in our trucks anyway, so even though I'm a 400 fan myself, your swap actually works for me.
I'm not sure about the mounts, but since they were available in our trucks it seems that they should either be similar, the same, or easy enough to find and swap in. The issue is the 460 though, since the Highboys were never available with one. So it was swapped in by a PO and maybe used L&L mounts?
Do the engine mount towers look professional, or custom home fabricated?
For the power steering, I'm more help there than with any of the other stuff. I know there were factory brackets and likely a few aftermarket ones too. There have been some good six-cylinder discussions lately so maybe someone has a link or two to a good thread.
Good luck. And enjoy the project. Definitely post up some pics of your truck when you get the chance. We like pics!
Paul
I'd agree about the swap (almost) but I know there are legions of 300 fans out there and they were available in our trucks anyway, so even though I'm a 400 fan myself, your swap actually works for me.
I'm not sure about the mounts, but since they were available in our trucks it seems that they should either be similar, the same, or easy enough to find and swap in. The issue is the 460 though, since the Highboys were never available with one. So it was swapped in by a PO and maybe used L&L mounts?
Do the engine mount towers look professional, or custom home fabricated?
For the power steering, I'm more help there than with any of the other stuff. I know there were factory brackets and likely a few aftermarket ones too. There have been some good six-cylinder discussions lately so maybe someone has a link or two to a good thread.
Good luck. And enjoy the project. Definitely post up some pics of your truck when you get the chance. We like pics!
Paul
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
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Welcome aboard.
I will preface by saying I can't be specific and answer your question about the motor mounts. While the 300 has a reputation for a great engine, the highboy is a heavy beast to push down the road and the 300 will be under powered and likely why Ford never offered it in the 250 4x4. Even with the 4.10 gearing a 351M/400 in stock form was adequate and got the job done but certainly not overpowered especially considering many saw hard use as heavy work trucks because of how they were built.
I know it sounds like you have your game plan already in place but its not too late to audible at the line and change the play. You may want to consider rebuilding the 460. At least take a little time and think about it before moving forward.
I will preface by saying I can't be specific and answer your question about the motor mounts. While the 300 has a reputation for a great engine, the highboy is a heavy beast to push down the road and the 300 will be under powered and likely why Ford never offered it in the 250 4x4. Even with the 4.10 gearing a 351M/400 in stock form was adequate and got the job done but certainly not overpowered especially considering many saw hard use as heavy work trucks because of how they were built.
I know it sounds like you have your game plan already in place but its not too late to audible at the line and change the play. You may want to consider rebuilding the 460. At least take a little time and think about it before moving forward.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
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I believe Ford did offer the F250 4x4's with the 300 in this vintage truck (I have a 76 F250 Highboy with a 300/NP435). I'm not 100% sure but I believe the engine towers were the same for the 360's & 300's in the highboys.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 633
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From: AL
Many a 300(albeit HD versions with forged crank and rods, and HD exhaust manifold) powered the F series dump trucks back in the day. I'd reason that the 300 is very well suited for the F250 Highboy, and can really be woken up with intake/cam/exhaust. I remember reading something about the 360/300 mounts, but I believe it was in a 2wd. Not sure how the narrow frame and 4wd affect it. The fordsix forum has a ton of good information on the 240/300 six.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,600
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From: San Jose, CA
Been watching Engine Power where they're building up an old GM 292 out of a mid-sixties pickup. Making some really good power with just the basics, but then they added a turbocharger.
But then again, maybe the OP is just looking for some tooling-around-the-ranch power instead.
Paul
But then again, maybe the OP is just looking for some tooling-around-the-ranch power instead.
Paul
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
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A 300, really? My '77 highboy has an all stock 351M and that thing is a dog. Going up a 6% grade (lots of them where I live) at 60 mph isn't ever going to happen. Can't imagine how slow a 300 would be...
But for a son's first truck (if it's his first truck) maybe slow and boring is what you want, lol
But for a son's first truck (if it's his first truck) maybe slow and boring is what you want, lol
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2005
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I had a killer Camaro in high school, fast as hell. 350 with a four speed. Parents bought it from me end of senior year to give to my sister who was ecstatic about getting it. I needed a better fuel economy car at the time (Z24 cavalier). What a crappy deal, lol. Anyway first thing Dad did is steel the motor and put it in his 84 Chevy 1/2 ton 4x4 and drop a automatic 6-cylinder in the old Camaro. You guessed it, sister wanted nothing to do with the car then. Lost the luster, pull the 460 and you may be the proud owner of a 300 powered highboy wishing it was a 460, or worse stuck trying to sell it to recoup the money as a 300 highboy. Dad lost his behind on the Camaro. Me I made out like a bandit. 
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Many a 300(albeit HD versions with forged crank and rods, and HD exhaust manifold) powered the F series dump trucks back in the day. I'd reason that the 300 is very well suited for the F250 Highboy, and can really be woken up with intake/cam/exhaust. I remember reading something about the 360/300 mounts, but I believe it was in a 2wd.
Not sure how the narrow frame and 4wd affect it.
Not sure how the narrow frame and 4wd affect it.
33 1/2" width between the inner frame rails behind the cab: 1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) // 1973/79 F350 Cab & Chassis and Regular Cabs on the 140" wheelbase.
All other 1973/79 F100/350's have 37 1/2" width rear frame rails.
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New User
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Thanks for all the input. Slow and boring is what i was shooting for on his first truck. So it looks like only going to need to slide engine supports forward and motor will fit perfect. Going to try it tomorrow afternoon. Does anyone have part numbers for the bracket for his power steering pump i kept off the 460. It is the large ford pump with steel reservoir and small dipstick. I think they call them a pencil neck pump but not to sure. I aporeciate the help.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Thanks for all the input. Slow and boring is what i was shooting for on his first truck. So it looks like only going to need to slide engine supports forward and motor will fit perfect. Going to try it tomorrow afternoon. Does anyone have part numbers for the bracket for his power steering pump i kept off the 460.
It is the large ford pump with steel reservoir and small dipstick. I think they call them a pencil neck pump.
It is the large ford pump with steel reservoir and small dipstick. I think they call them a pencil neck pump.
1967/77 F100/350 & Passenger Cars (except 1972/77 with Hydro-Boost) // 1973/74 Econoline // 1973/77 Bronco.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Nevada
Hey ND got a non truck part question for ya, Buddy of mine is trying to find a wiper switch for a 1979 thunderbird, its the variable speed switch not the 2 speed, the number on the old unit is D8OB-17A553-OA ?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/76 Torino/Ranchero // 1977/79 Cougar/Thunderbird/LTD II/Ranchero
D8OZ-17A553-B .. Two Speed Wiper Switch - Use with Intermittent Wipers (Motorcraft SW-1481) / Obsolete
MILLER OBSOLETE PARTS in Vestal NY has 4 = 607-722-5371.